Thomas E. Burkiewicz, 56, Vietnam War Veteran

He was born February 13, 1948 in Lorain and had been a lifelong Lorain area resident.

Mr. Burkiewicz graduated from Lorain High School in 1966 and then served with the US Air Force as a sergeant during the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Thailand. Afterward he attended Lorain County Community College in Elyria and earned a Machinists Associate Degree.

He worked as a machinist at US Steel in Lorain and at the BE Goodrich Aerospace Division.

Thomas was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elyria Township and played golf in several golf leagues including the BE Goodrich league. He enjoyed weightlifting.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years: Lois (nee Janik); sons: Mark Newell of Amherst and Nathan Burkiewicz of Spain; mother: Lottie Burkiewicz (nee Schultz) of Lorain; his brother John Burkiewicz of Lorain and a sister Rita Cirove of Tampa, Florida.

His father: Edward Burkiewicz preceded him in death.

The family will receive friends Monday 4-8 p.m. at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. A memorial mass will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 41295 N. Ridge Rd. Elyria Township. The Rev. James Ols, pastor, and the Rev. Sohn Slatcoff, deacon, will concelebrate. The Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of Lorain will conduct military honors. Burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.glunva.net.